Come Back for that Picture
To the blonde haired young lady who requested twice to take a pic with me. Please come back and we can take the picture you wanted. My sincere apologies. —A Street Musician
Tap Three
I thought about writing all of the memories I have of us. I thought about infusing inside jokes and our sarcastic quips. I thought about commenting on the places we have been and the places we wanted to go. But everything I want to say can be all summed up in one truly honest, simple…
Poor People Cheques
Hey government, there aren’t many things I wish to thank you for lately, but I will give credit where it is due. I really did need that GST poor person’s savings credit or whatever you call it (let’s face it, it’s for poor people). I was down to $0.75 for another 14 days until that…
Not Gluten-Free
For the love of god, if you don’t understand what a gluten-free diet entails, if you don’t understand the damage that is caused to a celiac patients small intestine when they eat something with gluten in it, or if you think gluten-free eating is some frivolous fad, please DO NOT offer gluten-free food! This is…
Elevator Bargers
Here is a lesson in elevator manners: When you are waiting for an elevator, stand back a reasonable distance. When the elevator stops there may be people on that elevator wanting to exit. Leave enough room for them to comfortably leave the elevator before trying to enter the elevator. Just the same as you would…
Rotten Fish
To a certain sushi chain in Halifax: Everyone in the service industry has heard of the terrible way you treat your staff, but usually those staff are competent and able to carry out the duties of their job with effort and tact. Tonight however, this was not the case. Our server was awful. If it…
A Wizard with the Scissors
To the lovely woman who cut my hair, many thanks. Sorry it was such a mess and for babbling on about nothing. You mentioned you liked combing hair because it looked like textiles, my hair was transformed from a burlap bag to silk. —A Good Witch
Psst
To my nagging insecurities, kindly fuck off. I have been crippled by you for far too long. I have let my self-doubt and perceived inadequacies control my life for god knows how long – and for what? You have not benefited me in any aspect and you have made me think I am less than…
The Plastic Diver Guy
Are you a Metro Transit bus driver? Do you have red hair? I think that you are awesome. —Remembering Me
You’ll Get Your Money Back
To the friend turned Nazi: I was in between jobs. I left one job, remained unemployed for almost a month, then finally got a new job. My rent was due and I needed about $400 to help pay my rent. I wasn’t going to get paid for a couple more weeks. No one in my…
Mad Stroller Moms
Kudos to the bus driver of the 52 Burnside on Tuesday! People are well aware that the 52 is one of the busiest routes, but yet think it’s okay to fill up the bus with strollers. Right around lunch time, the driver did not refuse to let them on, however, simply asked them to fold…
Tunes at Noon Starts Today
quake The lunchtime concert series at Grand Parade Tunes at Noon begins today with Marko Simmonds. The full lineup is re-printed below, and we’re happy to see that it features an eclectic group of musicians, including Ria Mae, Daniel Matto and the Urban Surf Kings.And it’s particularly nice to see some hip-hop on the bill…
Dear Canada, Are You Serious?
After reading your proposed changes I truly believe that this is simply the first step to try to eliminate the program. Your list of “concerns” seems to be an accumulation of all the old stereotypes that have been put forward for many years. I personally would like to know what percentage of licensed patients actually…
Proper Signal, Please
Give us a signal already! A small flick of the finger is all we ask; just one small flick to turn your signal on. Why is it that you wait to turn on your left signal AFTER the light turns green? And all those of us behind you: we’re stuck, made to wait and possibly…
Carbon Arc screens Helen Hill’s final film, goes dark
About to go dark for a month-long hiatus, the local film series Carbon Arc (The Khyber, 1588 Barrington Street) is closing its doors to help facilitate the installation of theatre-style seating. But this Thursday, July 14, it celebrates a year of showing artistic, experimental and repertory cinema with the Atlantic premiere of animator and filmmaker…
Parking Cockblock
Street parking around a local university is already tough enough to find… let alone a spot that lasts more than an hour. I found a great spot this morning, turned my indicator light on well in advance and slowed down. I was all set to begin my parallel parking antics, when you showed up behind…
Stop Generalizing
While I admit that some individuals in the bouncing profession are douche bags (as in EVERY profession), I have to say that the assumption that they are all meat-head, horny jocks, who are out to ruin your night, annoys the crap out of me. I go downtown every so often, like much of the 19-30…
Look Away
Stop staring at me while I put milk in my coffee. I’m trying to hurry so you can have your turn but your big eyes make me want to go slowly just to annoy you! —Hazelnut Vanilla
Morning Bells
Each and every morning, I am fortunate enough to be woken up by the large horse and carriage touring down the south end. I understand the tourist appeal to this type of activity, however, what the hell is with the bells? And if it isn’t obnoxious enough to hang bells on the poor horses, it…
Macdonald Apartment construction noise annoying neighbours
A generator related to construction at the MacDonald Apartments building on Cunard Street is making life hell for residents in the building and people living on Princess Place, a small lane to the east of the building with about a dozen homes. The generator is in a metal shipping container plopped on the apartment building’s…
Dad Rock Roundup 2011
skinny bachman still throws me for a loop Thinking of ways to show your parents that you love them and regret your spiteful, pitted teen years? You are in luck, for Dad Rock Season 2011 is nigh. First up, we have former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay playing two solo shows at the Carleton…
Stop the Discrimination
My younger brother is a guitar prodigy. He loves classical literature and spending time with friends and family. He is a quiet guy with a wicked funny sense of humour. My younger brother also has a mental illness, as do one in five Canadians. This requires him to be on medication. Unlike other illnesses, there…
Learn to Bike
To the person who was in front of me this morning on Chebucto – who is often on that road at the same time I am. We have to… I dunno, SHARE the road. I know that the NDP passed a law saying that I have to give a metre between me and you if…
Liar Liar Pants on Fire
My wonderful cousin, I love you dearly and absolutely love the fact that you are openly gay, especially within our specific community. However, you’re an attention needing nuisance. I can’t speak about my day, my life, a date I went on or anything with you! It’s like you don’t hear me and somehow always manage…
Roasted Puppy
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? I found your dog in your car on Sunday and witnesses told me he’d been left there for an hour or more! I heard his cries of pain and I opened your door, letting him out. I gave him water and I sat in the shade with him for another…
Cottage Owners
BUYER BEWARE: If you buy a cottage lot and behind you is crown land or land leased to a mill company, they can cut every tree behind you which in turn can ruin your lake with undesirable run off. The machinery and trucks will run 24 hrs a day for several weeks at a time.…
Waste of Time
Dear boss, please take your team building activities and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine. No one wanted to attend the entire day session you already planned and we certainly don’t want to attend a 4 hour follow up. We all, for the most part, get along well… there are no major issues I…
Poison Everywhere
Someone broke two long fluorescent light bulbs over my organic garden. I picked up the shards of glass scattered among the broccoli and tomatoes but I have no way to remove the mercury contamination. Sometimes I really hate people. —Ms. Anthropist
A Little Off Topic
While sitting in a north end hotspot getting my hair done, I was shocked to hear the head stylist LOUDLY gossiping to another customer about their client or friend’s dating misfortunes. It was so inappropriate and made me feel so uncomfortable I may never return. What does he say about me when I’m not around?…
Jill Barber shines
It’s not all big hair and costume changes, Jill Barber’s grown into a bona fide jazz diva. A sweetheart and a chanteuse who Halifax adores, she’s got splashes of all the greats—Edith Piaff, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday. More importantly, these days she’s all Jill Barber. Part persona, part performance, all heart. Barber had stars in…
To My Fellow Ninjas
Your support and help in transitioning me into my new home is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. And you all came out in a body with food, furniture, wheels and love. I haven’t even had a chance to feel scared or overwhelmed because you’ve been there every step of the…
Compost Contractors
I’m really sick of coming home from work on Friday afternoons and seeing that my compost, or my recycling hasn’t been picked up. For some reason, the vast majority of the time my garbage is picked up with no problem at all, but whoever it is that picks up the compost just refuses to do…
To Lime
I hated Halifax before meeting you. But within a week of our winter wonderland affair I was in love—with the city—and finally with life; even though we didn’t fall in love like that. You had endless patience with me. And we had local beer and music and star-gazing on Citadel with the frosty ground beneath…
Emmmillllyyy!
We lived together for three weeks, you left this afternoon, and now I miss you more than I can describe. You need to come back so we can make more pasta and pick more flowers and walk all day and sing fanatically down the sidewalk as we realize we know a lot of the same…
Gingers Rule!
Dear Ginger Commander (Apr 21), Gingers rule! They are the most beautiful creatures. Whenever I see a woman with lustrous luxuriant red locks, my heart goes a-pitter-patter. Green eyes are a bonus. —Male Fan of Gingers
Dude
Holy shit, do I ever love you. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be with you… waking up next to you every morning is like living in some beautiful fantasy world. You’re the strangest and most incredible person I’ve ever met, and I never thought I’d get this lucky with a boyfriend. —Ridiculously…
Crofts/Adams/Pearse and The Unsupervised at 1313 Hollis
Crofts/Adams/Pearse Local experimental whizzes Norman Adams, Tim Crofts and Lukas Pearse performed as their trio Crofts/Adams/Pearse at a calm and only slightly overheated 1313 Hollis, performance space of the Jazz Festival’s home base, on Sunday night. Though sometimes an acoustic piano/cello/bass trio, the set was electronic this time, creating an ultra-minimal sound much of the…
New twist in May Ocean insurance saga
May Ocean files appeal in her long-running lawsuit against Economical Mutual, her car insurance company.
Have Fun
We’ve only been together for a month though in our hearts it’s felt like an eternity. You went away this morning for a week and I already miss you. Come home soon. —Fly Bitten
Girl on the Street
It was great hanging out with you Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Things are complicated but I think you’re pretty awesome and hope to see you again. You know where I live so maybe you’ll find your way back to me. —Giving Hugs to Someone Who Needs Them More Than Me
Coheed and Cambria’s Bassist Robbed a Drugstore
The bass player from Coheed and Cambria – one of the bands opening for Metallica this Thursday in Halifax – was arrested yesterday for robbing a Massachusetts Walgreen’s for Oxycotin. Michael “Mic” Todd allegedly walked into the store early yesterday afternoon and told the clerk he had a bomb that would be set off if…
Chocolate Lake Cleaning Lady
A huge shout out to the woman who comes to Chocolate Lake beach every Sunday morning to clean up after a night of partying by local teens. When I saw her this morning, hunched over and picking up bits of broken glass, bottles and godknowswhatelse, she wasn’t angry, bitter or pissed off at the world.…
Fellow Hair Salon Customer
You laughed at my corny and somewhat inappropriate jokes, hopefully that means you’d like to hear some more. I wish I wasn’t so shy or I would’ve said hello myself rather than mentioning how totally attractive you were to the hairdresser and then proceeding to blush until I left. I hope I see you soon,…
Love the Way You Give
Hey Coasties, (Coasters?), thanks for the free VIP passes to The Pharcyde show. Never been to Jazz Fest before and had a great time. —Cranky
Is This Actually Happening?
Seeing you Friday, I was hit with a wave of relief. After three months of practiced avoidance. It hit me just how much I’ve missed what I’ve been running from; what I feel/see when I look in your eyes. I’m sorry for throwing you away, you’re anything but disposable. —Ask Me Again
Lawrencetown Beach
What is with the outhouses at Lawrencetown Beach Park? The doors have been ripped off. They haven’t been replaced or maintained. What the hell? Really nice rest stop for tourists. Way to go Nova Scotia! —Sandbag026
You Gotta Get Rid of this Hair
I had a little bit of fuzz growing back and went a couple of days without shaving. You told me I forgot to shave and I have to get rid of the tiny bit of hair that was growing back. You don’t even fucking trim! You go around with this bush and have the audacity…
Feels Like I’m Flying
This is the way I feel whenever I’m around you. You are the love of my life and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. From the moment you commented on my zombie t-shirt I knew we were a match. I know I’ve told you before, but I don’t think…
Haligonians mourn Neskie Manuel
Known to many in the cycling, radio and activist communities in Halifax, one-time Haligonian Neskie Manuel disappeared on a camping trip on May 8 on the Neskonlith First Nation in BC, near Kamloops. Manuel lived in Halifax in 2007 and 2008 and was involved with developing aboriginal programming for CKDU, helping to develop the Dalhousie…
Because You Deserve Recognition
This Love is being sent to Community Services for all their hard work for helping women who aren’t ready to become parents find a safe and happy home for their little ones. Also, to those same women – I am in awe of your ability to make the ultimate sacrifice, and commend you for your…
Hydrostone Dog Owners
Dear neighbours, I am a dog owner and a dog lover. It pains me to hear the relentless, endless barking of some of the neighbourhood dogs (especially well past 10 pm). I’m not talking about intermittent barking at passersby, but what has become regular periods of sustained and desperate cries. Please pay attention to your…
Y7u6666
I send some love out to my cat who just added this note when I was getting ready to say something serious and meaningful: “y7u6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666ht”. —Pony
Chocolate Lake Babysitting Service
The lifeguard on duty is NOT your private babysitting service. When I overheard you ask the lifeguard, “Could you watch my children while I go up to the convenience store for a pack?” took me for a shock. First, the lifeguard’s job is to watch the people in/near the water to ensure no one drowns,…
Get Over It
To all the people that have nothing better to do but bitch about riding the bus on the bus, just buy a fucking car or shut up. Really what do you expect? It’s public transit, it’s not a first class trip to wonderland. It’s Halifax and honestly it’s not even that bad. Ya, it really…
Mall Cop Love
Holy shit I love those security guards at the mall… especially the one with all the tats. —Hot Shopper
Someday We’ll Meet Again
We met on Friday. You were really cute, dressed in your white collar shirt, jeans and brown shoes. I really wanted to jump your bones. There was definitely an attraction between us. Due to my “circumstances” I couldn’t act on the attraction, boo. I just wanted to say that I thought you were hot and…
Hilarious Handicap
To the two teenage girls on the bus who were making fun of the way another girl was moving and walking. She is a friend of mine, in fact, I didn’t even realize she was on the bus until you two started pointing, laughing, and imitating her movements as she got off the bus. I…
Move It
It’s not a crosswalk, but you in your ugly white trainers decided to cross anyway. Ok, that’s fine I guess… but please don’t stroll across the street like it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon when it’s 8:15 am on a Monday. —Señor Slow
To My Mistress
We are pretty awesome. I hope I don’t break your heart and I hope the fun lasts as long as it can. —The Terrible
Lost Love
I can’t count the nights that you filled my void. Late nights at the bar, stumbling home into your deliciousness. I used to love you but now… what happened? I swore I would never return but there I was drunk and hungry and once again you delivered a worse than virgin performance. No more. We…
Not a Good Time for Construction
I’m sitting here right now with a migraine on a Sunday because, without notification of any kind, it’s okay to drill and jack hammer tiles off the wall early in the morning and through the day in the next unit. The noise is so loud I can’t hear myself talk. I can’t hear my computer…
This is Why We Have Such a High Crime Rate
A while ago, two men in their 20s walked into a bar on a Saturday night. It was a relatively quiet Saturday night, headlined by a Blues band, the name of which I can’t recall now. The pair looked and acted out of place. Staring down other patrons, obviously and intentionally invading others’ personal space,…
Wildflower is closed temporarily due to flood
Here’s the message we received from Jill Strong, fashion expert and proprietor of Wildflower (5553 Clyde Street, 420-0364): Hi Everyone, Unfortunately, Wildflower had a flood July 6th and we are working hard to sort things out so we can get back to business and serving the best clientele in town! Thank you for your patience.…
Doris Mason, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
For those with a curfew, the Halifax Jazz Fest free concerts are a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Sunshine, a cool breeze and Ella Fitzgerald tribute—Doris Mason’s Ella-vation made for a swoony Sunday. For anyone who adored the original First Lady of Song, Doris Mason is a pretty good make-shift Ella. One of the…
3D Movies Cost Too Much
As we walked out of the 3D movie a middle-aged woman complained to her daughter, “Well, that certainly wasn’t worth $16, but I’ll take what I deserve,” as she put both pairs of glasses in her purse. Her daughter then dumped her leftover popcorn on the floor and they walk out. Why do you think…
DaCane rents Stand-Up Paddle Boards
DaCane Surf Shop (5239 Blowers Street, 431-7873) is presently renting Stand-Up Paddle Boards. They’re going for $49.99 for a day, which you can try out before they sell. For more information on the boards or any of their other surf-related stuff, drop by DaCane or give them a call.
The Pharcyde
Halifax holla’d back. As a last minute line up change, The Pharcyde trumped Jazz Fest’s opening weekend on the waterfront with their 90s throwback. High energy, dynamic and dance-party inspiring, what else could a humid summer’s night in Halifax call for? Los Angeles’ Pharcyde offered up a refreshing spin on the jazz fest’s roster. The…
Calm the Eff Down!
This is to the girl driving behind me (not for long) while I was turning right off the highway and onto Bay Rd. this past Thursday. You felt the need to beep your horn at me because we had a red light and I felt it was a good idea to yield to the traffic…
Rhonda’s Party wins CBC Short Film Face-Off
Congratulations to filmmaker Ashley McKenzie, writer Christine Comeau, producer Nelson MacDonald and all their collaborators, whose film Rhonda’s Party won the big prize on the CBC Short Film Face-Off this weekend. The show, until this year broadcast only in Atlantic Canada, went national in 2011. McKenzie’s film was up against pictures from Newfoundland and Ontario…
Sustained
So you want to be the sustainability kings? Then don’t scream how wonderful you are while cooling your buildings from the public water supply and stop busting massive numbers of mercury filled fluorescent bulbs in your dumpsters. Have some concern for your neighbours and the local community. That shit leaks out. Or are you just…
911 Could Take a Lesson
On July 4th I regretfully and accidentally locked my children in the van at a Bedford box store on a very hot and humid day with no windows open. My two year old had climbed into the drivers seat and must have hit the lock button because after I buckled him in I closed his…
Clappers
There is nothing worse to me than a bunch of idiots clapping, stomping or snapping along with the beat at a concert, drowning out the actual music. Get a frigging grip, stfu and let me enjoy the show! —You Look Like Mentally-Challenged Seals
There’s No Such Thing as the Litter Fairy
To the group/family of douchebags at Rainbow Haven Beach on Friday who thought the Litter Fairy would clean up after you as you left the beach – pull your fucking heads out of the sand! Good thing I had my young kids with me, otherwise I sure would have caused a scene. Instead I used…
Peek-a-Part
Would it be too much to ask for you to wear a bra? No matter how hot you think you are – let’s be real, you aren’t. Your titties are grossing me out and don’t tell me not to look ’cause they are hanging out playin’ peek-a-titty out of the bottom of your shirt. Actually,…
Road Etiquette for Newbie Cyclists
As a commuter cyclist for the last 30 years and a one time racer, I am quite comfortable on my bike. I’ve ridden through many a storm and throughout winter every year. I love the fact that many more of you are getting out on your bikes these days and either commuting or just plain…
Get Outta My Head, Outtacontroller
This past weekend, my friend claimed he never gets songs stuck in his head because, in his words, “I have too many ideas running around in there.” I challenged him to listen to the following song by new local punksters Outtacontroller and see if this still held true. “Sloppy Princess” is a true earworm, with…
Useless Coworker
I realize it must be hard to get to work every day but really? EVERY week you call in sick for a half day or a full day but last week you decided to call in for the ENTIRE week! I am so sick of this bullshit. We all know you are not really sick…
Grand Master Stink
I know it’s natural and we all do it! Hell even fish do it!! But for the love of our nostrils please! I swear some people must literally shit themselves every time they pass gas! I don’t know who it was. The young guy or his girlfriend next to him? The little old lady who…
Colin Stetson’s lonely sax
Colin Stetson’s solo sax brought loneliness to a busy St. Matthew’s
The Bad Plus: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring
The Bad Plus incites riotous applause with a cover of Stravinsky’s riot-inducing Rite of Spring
Yaron Herman Trio and The Bad Plus
Jazz Fest’s opening night kicked off with Tel Aviv’s Yaron Herman Trio, a fusion of pop, jazz and classical music. Not only did their rendition of Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box make the ’90s seem glamorous, Courtney Love could almost be deemed classy. As the cotton candy pink sunset over the harbour, Yaron Herman Trio serenaded…
The “Dog Days” Of Summer Are Here
beast in repose Here’s the post where we do the usual blathering about how it’s Friday and we’re going to drink mojitos or whatever, and garden badly, and burn off our friend’s arm hair with the BBQ (this actually happened last week) and try to hang out with as many dogs and cats as possible.…
Mmmmmmmmm Milk
To the provider of the very best milk I have ever had! I LOVE YOU!! It takes me back with every glass I drink. Every time I go to your outlet at a certain market near the water front of downtown Halifax I pick up a couple bottles. I love that I have to give…
Care for our Feathered Friends
To the caring young lady cyclist who so carefully looked after a fallen bird on my way to work on Thursday morning, I was a silent witness to your compassionate and tender care of a poor crow that had been struck by a car. Through my car window I saw you so gently, tenderly lay…
Strawberry Fields
Thank you farmers and pickers for supplying us lucky Nova Scotians with the bestest strawberries in the world! Thanks especially to the ones who continue to use the wooden quart boxes! Don’t ever go clam shell! And thank you for sharing, Rhubarb Man on my road! Strawberry rhubarb crisp tonight! —Snubarb
Sick of Idiot Cyclists and Motorists
This bitch is for cyclists and motorists (I fall into both categories). To motorists: please stop giving up your right of way just because you’re afraid of what cyclists will do. I know there are awful cyclists, but that doesn’t mean you should come to a complete halt when it’s clearly your right of way…
NS premier cool to independent review of Lwr Churchill project
Premier Dexter is cool to idea of independent review of the Lower Churchill project and he admits he hasn’t seen any cost comparison with electricity from Hydro Quebec.
Unhelpful
When you come in seeking help please have some idea about the problem. Please don’t walk in stare at me and say “I need help” you might as well say “the sky is blue” because both those statements will get you no where. Also presuming I know what you’re talking about is plain silly. Don’t…
Are You Blind?
To the old hag who almost ran into me while I was on my bike: ARE YOU FUCKING BLIND? I THOUGHT BLIND PEOPLE AREN’T SUPPOSED TO DRIVE! How was I to know that you were signaling to turn right when you were beside me? And when I waited for you outside the store, I should’ve…
Hypothetical Ridiculousness
You’re walking down the sidewalk. You approach Leonard, who is walking a skunk on a leash. You stop and tell Leonard “I don’t want to walk through your skunk’s cloud of stink.” He responds with “I’m addicted to walking skunks. I can’t help it, you insensitive asshole.” You’re forced to suck in skunk stink so…
Market Letdown
What gives with the posted hours at the Farmers’ Market? This afternoon, I checked the web to make sure they were open, got in the car, found a parking space (a challenge in itself), fed the meter, and went in to discover that only about a quarter of the vendors were open. Not only was…
Turkey
Lovin’ the juicy parts – feathers plucked and all. —Gobble Gobble
BW
Yesterday (for what felt like the millionth time) I woke up late and rushed to work without packing a lunch. Yesterday (for what felt like the millionth time) you met me at lunch and packed a picnic feast. You are the sweetest man and I do not deserve you. —Prairie Home
D’oh! We’re Doomed Show is Friday July 8
In this week’s paper we incorrectly listed the We’re Doomed EP release show with Glory Glory and the Stogies as happening tonight. It is, in fact, happening tomorrow night starting at 10pm at the Seahorse. The Coast regrets the error.
TWISI and shout
Amanda Campbell has passion, energy and expertise, and she’s positioning herself so that the Canadian theatre community can benefit from that. The 27-year-old founder of the blog The Way I See It (TWISI) has been writing about theatre in her native Halifax and her adopted Toronto since 2004 when she was completing her MA in…
Rude Bus Travellers
I guess in a way this bitch is also directed at myself. I’m on the bus home from work and I notice some teenaged-looking girls board a few stops after me. Halfway down the bus the driver snappily says to the last one, “Excuse me, can you come back up here please?” The girl goes…
People with Bad Teeth
Dental fees are crazy and not everyone can afford going to the dentist – I realize that. But come on people – if your mouth looks like the dog’s breakfast – just don’t smile. What the hell do you have to smile about anyway? I mean seriously. Crazy ass shark teeth people. You can’t afford…
In the Garden of Elsie
Elsie’s Used Clothing is opening its garden to the public thanks to Andrew Patterson and Kat Shubaly. Saturday, July 9 curated live readings and music will take place. “It’s about being as accessible and inclusive as possible. Art is meant to be shared, not sold” Patterson, a Coast contributor says. Patterson will be reading selections…
To My Cat
You are quite awesome. No matter what is wrong in my life you never judge me. You never see me as less than your friend. Even right now you sit there looking at me with your bright yellow eyes, black fur and white tips. sitting on my computer desk. Knowing how much I respect you,…
Take Your Time
Okay, the parking lot is nearly full, I can’t seem to find a place to park. But wait, I see you walking to your car, loading stuff into your car, get in, buckle up and then… fiddle around with stuff for about ten minutes, then pull out. You see me, I know you do but…
Drag On This
Four bucks for a tiny little waffle with nothing on it? Not even a sprinkle of icing sugar? I’ll admit it was yummy but never again. —Good Luck With That
Council passes on wind
Halifax council Tuesday punted on a decision on new zoning rules for wind turbines. Currently, no new windmills can be erected anywhere in HRM; existing windmills are grandfathered in and may remain. After two years of study and public input, city staff had brought forward a proposal that nearly completely bans wind turbines in the…
Metallica concert ready to go
A week out, prospects for next Thursday’s Metallica concert on Citadel Hill couldn’t look better: Environment Canada forecasts unseasonably warm and dry days. Promoter Harold MacKay has won the showdown with city administrator Richard Butts. And even angry merchandiser David Bluestein has made peace with MacKay, and so will be hawking t-shirts, CDs and other…
Guerrilla vegetables
In an age of self-made screen-addicted pundits, in which the winner is the one most heard/followed/friended, David McLearn is a rare breed. He doesn’t have an email account. He doesn’t self-promote. He doesn’t talk much. And he’s pretty soft-spoken when he does. But, his laughter could fill any space, even the wide outdoors where he…
Inside Cambridge
I was studying the wrong discipline —I should’ve been studying architecture, not theology,” says John Devlin, standing before eight framed collages in Eyelevel Gallery, where he’s part of the group show Outside Inside. In 1979, he moved to England to study theology at Cambridge University— after completing a bachelor of environmental design studies at Dalhousie,…
Robin Hood for the win
As far as I can recall, the family shows at SBTS have never been anything less than fantastic. They are always clever, witty, fast-paced and entertaining for children and adults alike. That being said, this year’s Robin Hood is in a class of its own. Both the script and music are polished and sophisticated. The…
The Tree of Life podcast
Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life has been critically adored, though its left many scratching their heads. It’s a wildly ambitious film with a fractured narrative and many unexplained images. It’s also beautiful, compelling and emotional. (Click here to see Matt Semansky’s original review.) On this podcast The Coast film writers try to get to…
Our woman in Havana
When I think of Havana, Cuba, I have visions of sweltering heat where the sun bakes my skin, a glass with rivulets of condensation and music coming from a club where patrons salsa dance into the night. Though I’m not naive enough to picture the same when walking into a restaurant in Halifax, I do…
Jazz about town
Get out your jazz hands and gather your drinking buddies, with Jazz Fest’s great list of partnered stages around town there’s a slew of affordable after-parties and pre-show soirees to choose from. Essentially this week it’s all jazz, all the time. Check out live music listings on page 19 for daily details, and here are…
Twenty-five years of Jazz Fest in photos
If a picture says a thousand words, 40 pictures will have many stories to tell. In recognition of Jazz Fest’s 25th year, a collection of photos from past festivals, taken by professionals, musicians and festival keeners alike, has been carefully compiled and will be showcased at the main festival tent. JazzEast’s James MacAulay dug into…
Jim MacSwain’s new work evokes Hitler and the Hindenburg
Soft-spoken and prim, Jim MacSwain doesn’t make films with kids in mind. “Oh, no,” he says. “They’re for experimental off-the-wall avant garde crazies.” Without skipping a beat: “That’s my target audience.” The veteran filmmaker and former director at Centre For Art Tapes is starting the process to make his latest stop-motion short, The Lighthouse Keeper,…
Chaos Theory wants to Rock the Hill
If things go according to plan for Halifax hard-rockers Chaos Theory, on July 14 instead of thrashing around to Master of Puppets and spending too much at the beer tent, they’ll be sharing the stage with Metallica. “To play on stage with my idols can’t be explained with words, but only with emotions of true…
Chaos Theory wants to Rock the Hill
If things go according to plan for Halifax hard-rockers Chaos Theory, on July 14 instead of thrashing around to Master of Puppets and spending too much at the beer tent, they’ll be sharing the stage with Metallica. “To play on stage with my idols can’t be explained with words, but only with emotions of true…
Wake Wood
Under the revivified banner of Hammer Film Productions, the veteran UK horror company, this shot-in-Ireland creepfest has a seriously effective hook: a little girl is killed by a dog, leaving her parents heartbroken. They move to the quiet village of Wake Wood, where they discover weird goings-on in a Wicker Man vein, the possibility their…
Outdoor jamming for the IWK
While spending her days steaming milk and keeping people buzzed at Starbucks, music lover Rebecca Sharpe started dreaming up a plan for a charity concert. And as it turned out, the perfect venue was right under her nose. Always encouraging charity work in the community, her employers offered up their high traffic patio as a…
The Pharcyde’s bizarre ride
Like most music nerds who make a profession on music created by other people, I studied music in high school, particularly jazz guitar. At the time, I didn’t really know any jazz musicians, or at least I thought I didn’t. That was until I started running through songs from some of the greats that I…
What’s wrong: Peeling community signs.
Who’s responsible? Shaune MacKinlay, HRM corporate messaging gatekeeper, 490-6531. Remarks: A reader sent us this picture of the peeling Timberlea sign, but we’ve seen plenty of others in similar condition throughout HRM. MacKinlay says the signs use coated paper over a wood base that “we were assured would withstand the elements.” Alas, the city wise…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! Cancer (June 21-July22) While listening to the sound collage radio program Over the Edge on KPFA, I learned that a new primary colour has been detected. Quite different from red, yellow or blue, it has its own distinct hue that’s impossible to describe. You really have to see it to appreciate its essence.…
Stinky Zookeeper
For reasons unbeknownst to me, director Frank Coraci and a slew of writers birthed Zookeeper. Dumped by his bombshell GF (Leslie Bibb), zookeeper Griffin (Kevin James) schemes to win her back half a decade later with the help of the chatty animals he cares for and his sexy colleague (Rosario Dawson), who harbours a crush…
Marriage legal, not compulsory
Q Three months ago, I met a woman who I’m really into physically, emotionally and mentally. She’s someone I could see myself with. Problem is, when we started having sex, she insisted on a condom for birth control. I haven’t worn one in probably eight or nine years. (I’m 33 now.) I would be hard,…
Horrible Bosses not bad at all
The creators of this comedy are so enamoured of their premise that they almost forget to convert their slick concept into actual entertainment. A sluggish half-hour is dedicated to the setup, as financial guy Nick (Jason Bateman), chemical company middle manager Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and dental assistant Dale (Charlie Day) decide to murder the work…
Halifax Jazz Fest hits the waterfront for their 25th
It’s always good to change it up on a silver anniversary—add a little more shine. Halifax Jazz Fest celebrates 25 years with a little more glamour and a change of venue. “We had to move because of the new library,” says Heather Gibson, JazzEast’s executive director. “We knew it was coming down the pipe two…
Stetson’s stark summer
They say it’s “the summer of sax,” thanks to hit singles from Katy Perry and Lady Gaga that drop huge horn solos. Given that, it’s tempting to frame Colin Stetson’s New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges as part of the trend, especially since it’s easily the best avant-garde jazz saxophone album to be shortlisted for…
The Crofts/Adams/Pearse Trio channel the unknown
Norman Adams, Tim Crofts and Lukas Pearse are all fixtures of the local jazz and experimental scenes, seen doing everything from concerts to experimental electronic accompaniment to theatre to live film scores. They’d played together before but formed their trio about five years ago with the suddenlyLISTEN new music concert organization (which Adams is director…
Keren Ann’s luminous sound
When asked about her whereabouts, French singer Keren Ann Zeidel rails off a months-long list of tour dates, festivals, rehearsals and opera openings that traverses the globe, “and then in March I sleep,” she says. Opera? “My bandmate and I in my band Lady & Bird just finished writing an opera,” she explains. The opera,…
Elisapie Isaac’s language arts
In spite of a cell phone connection that keeps cutting out, Elisapie Isaac is in high spirits on her way home to Montreal from Ottawa. The Inuit singer performed July 1 on Parliament Hill for celebrating Canadians and the visiting royal couple, who she had a chance to meet as well. “They were kind enough…
Digable Planets reunite
In the early ’90s, many rappers were reaping the benefits from long overdue attention they were receiving from the general public. Hip-hop was quickly becoming a major force in North American popular music as more and more people began shedding their preconceptions. With huge backing from major labels, artists like Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, 2Pac…
Preservation Hall Jazz Band blends old and new
In the old French Quarter of New Orleans stands a building rich with history and slim on amenities. It serves no food or drink, has no air conditioning and offers very little in the way of sight lines and capacity. In short, it does not provide the greatest conditions in which to run a business.…
Charles Spearin’s Happiness Project will make you smile
Charles Spearin may be playing a jazz festival and hold a Juno for contemporary jazz for his album The Happiness Project, but he initially found the award perplexing. Prior to the win, he hadn’t considered the album jazz at all—the Toronto-based musician is known for his work as a member of Broken Social Scene and…
Polaris Short List Announced
Austra The Polaris Prize Short List came out yesterday. Everyone on this list will receive $2,000 and the winner receives a grand prize of $30,000. Here it is. Arcade Fire — The SuburbsAustra — Feel It BreakBraids — Native SpeakerDestroyer — KaputtGalaxie — Tigre Et DieselHey Rosetta — SeedsRon Sexsmith — Long Player Late BloomerColin…
What’s wrong: Peeling community signs.
Who’s responsible? Shaune MacKinlay, HRM corporate messaging gatekeeper, 490-6531. Remarks: A reader sent us this picture of the peeling Timberlea sign, but we’ve seen plenty of others in similar condition throughout HRM. MacKinlay says the signs use coated paper over a wood base that “we were assured would withstand the elements.” Alas, the city wise…
